Kumu hula preserved the culture of Molokai

WAILUKU » The founder of an international hula festival on Molokai died at home in Makakilo on Wednesday. He was 47.

John Kaimikaua was a song composer and the kumu hula of Halau Hula O Kukunaokala, with dance groups on Molokai and Oahu.

"He was an excellent teacher," said Kekama Helm, a student of Kaimikaua's hula halau. "He helped us connect the stories of Molokai with the places. He kind of made it all come together."

Helm said Kaimikaua had the vision to found the Ka Hula Piko festival at Kaana in West Molokai. According to Molokai native dance tradition, Kaana is the birthplace of the hula.

Kaimikaua was also instrumental in organizing the annual Makahiki festival on Molokai.

"He explained the protocols, chants and what Makahiki was about," said Ron Kimball, a member of Ka Molokai Makahiki festival committee.

"He really was a good guiding force for our island."

Molokai Youth Center program director Belinda Pidot said Kaimikaua also spent time talking with young people about legends related to different parts of the island, and his Hula Piko festival drew hula halaus from around the world, including Germany and Japan.

At an early age, Kaimikaua became interested in the legends and stories of Hawaiian culture, according to an interview with him in the book "Moloka'i," by Philip Spalding III.

His grandmother and great-grandmother told him Hawaiian legends and stories.

In his youth he met Kawahinekapuheleikapokane, a Hawaiian woman who was a former resident of Molokai and taught him the hula and legends and chants of the Friendly Isle, according to Spalding's book.